Delhi govt urges Centre for study on pollution
8 Nov 2016 12:46 AM GMT
The Delhi Government on Monday urged Union Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave to direct the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to conduct a comprehensive study to determine the exact cause of rising air pollution in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).
He also urged Dave to recommend corrective short, medium and long-term measures to curb the menace of air pollution in the city.
Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain in a letter to Dave wrote that despite the Delhi government’s multiple progressive measures to fight air pollution, the city has gained the “unfortunate reputation” of becoming one of the most polluted cities in the world, with different locations recording some of the highest levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10 pollutants.
“Satellite images from NASA show large-scale crop burning and pollution in the industries of nearby states like Punjab and Haryana, which is a major source of pollution,” Hussain wrote.
“In this scenario, it is imperative that the source of emissions and their respective pollutant load contribution are investigated for the entire National Capital Region (NCR),” he added.
“I request you to instruct the CPCB to conduct the source apportionment study for the region in order for targeted and comprehensive anti-air pollution measures to be designed and executed by different states in the region,” Hussain said in the letter.
SDMC shuts schools for entire week; North MCD, EDMC till Nov 9
Nearly 580 schools under the South Corporation will remain closed for the entire week, while those in the jurisdiction of North and East civic bodies will be shut till Wednesday in view of the alarming pollution levels in the national Capital.
Over 17,000 schools running under the three Municipal Corporations of Delhi were closed on Saturday due to heavy smog that has already caused a spike in cases of asthma, allergy and breathlessness in the city, with doctors suggesting extra protection for children and the elderly.
All schools under the MCD are primary schools, which are run in morning and evening shifts. About 10 lakh students are enrolled in the schools run by the three Corporations.
Next Story
